Elizabeth Jeter Greene (1890 - February 25, 1973) was an American suffragist, and civic leader from New London, Connecticut.
Greene was born in Arlington, Virginia in 1890. [1] She came to New London, Connecticut in 1903. [2] Before her 18th birthday, Green married Samuel Jeter and the couple had a daughter. [3] Later, in the 1920s, she was remarried to Isham "Erskin" Greene. [4]
During World War I, in 1917, Greene created an organization of Black women called "The Canteen," to serve traveling Black soldiers with layovers in New London. [5] The Canteen provided incoming troops with entertainment and lodging. [6] After WWI, the organization went through several name changes, later becoming the Negro Welfare Council and the New London Service League. [5] [7]
Greene also created "bi-racial" day care centers in New London for children. [8] In 1924, she opened an art school to the public. [9] She was involved with the Northeastern Federation of Colored Women's Clubs. [10]
Greene supported woman's suffrage and was a founding member of the New London chapter of the League of Women Voters and remained active in politics through her life. [11] Formerly, she was president of the Republican Woman's Club, and later switched to the Democratic Party. [12] [13] She was recognized for her civic work by New London mayor, Richard R. Martin, in 1971, when he declared December 3 "Jeter Green Day." [14]
Greene died in a nursing home in Waterford, Connecticut on February 25, 1973. [15] [2] She was buried in Arlington National Cemetery. [15]